(Submitted on October 20, 2018; Revised on November 12, 2018; Accepted on December 8, 2018)

Abstract:

In order to make a vacuum pouring cylinder cover have an improved function, where two large solid rocket engines rather than one can be poured through simultaneously in a vacuum environment, the structure of the original vacuum pouring cylinder cover should be reformed. In addition to the original one, two other pouring ports are required. Therefore, to ensure its strength and stiffness properties, some stiffeners (or stiffen ribs) should be welded on its inner surface. Based on the response surface method and finite element analysis method, a multi-objective optimization model is obtained to optimize the structure of the two-engine pouring cylinder cover. Three sizes related to the stiffeners are defined as design variables, and the structural stresses and deformation values are calculated by using ANSYS software. Box-Behnken design experiments are conducted after narrowing the range of design variables by using a combination test. Design-Expert, a kind of common experiment design software, is used to optimize and solve the response surface. The optimal values of sizes of stiffeners for the two-engine pouring cylinder cover structure are obtained. The research results build a solid foundation for the practical application of the project.

R. L. Mason, R. F. Gunst, and J. L Hess, “Statistical Design and Analysis of Experiments with Applications to Engineering and Science,” John Wiley and Sons Publication, the United States of America, 2003